Former prime minister John Howard has turned crime fighter after he intervened in a domestic violence dispute.

The 79-year-old was taking his routine walk near his home in Wollstonecraft, on Sydney’s north shore, on Wednesday morning when he saw a man and woman allegedly in a physical altercation, The Sunday Telegraph reported.

Mr Howard stepped in and kept by the woman’s side until police arrived, a Liberal source told the publication.

Former prime minister John Howard (pictured) intervened in a domestic violence dispute while out on a morning walk on Wednesday

‘He took on the Taliban in his 60s and now he’s taking on domestic violence at almost 80,’ the Liberal source said in praise of Mr Howard.

The former Liberal leader declined to comment on the scuffle but confirmed there had been an ‘incident’.

Police said he had assisted at the scene and it is believed he is helping North Shore Police Area Command officers with their inquiries.

They pointed out he was in no way involved with the actual argument.

Mr Howard’s intervention is the latest in a series of attempts to tackle domestic violence.

The former prime minister kickstarted the Partnerships Against Domestic Violence program in 1997.

Mr Howard’s (pictured) intervention is the latest in a series of attempts to tackle domestic violence

The man and woman in question are believed to have got into the alleged physical altercation after the man attempted to put something in a bin.

A 44-year-old woman was charged with breaching an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order. She was granted conditional bail and will appear at Manly Local Court on Tuesday.

The 47-year-old man was taken to hospital as a mental health precaution.